Removing and replacing air motor bushings only looks difficult. The real
trick is learning how to remove and replace the connecting rods. Here
are the steps.

After removing the cam and connecting rods (as one unit) from the motor,
do a quick cleaning of the cam (the exposed areas) with any product
similar to steel wool, to remove as much of the gunky buildup as
possible*. Don't be too concerned about the small scratches you might
make in the cam, you'll be polishing it before you begin the assembly
process.

*You can also use a good metal cleaning polish.
The point is to get the bends in the cam fairly clean. Forcing the bearing
around a dirty corner requires considerably more effort, which can lead to
breakage.

Now, mark each connecting rod so you won't mistake where it came
from. This step is absolutely necessary since it is extremely
common for the flange screw holes and the flange 'break-off' pattern to
be different from piece to piece. Don't leave it to chance.

The real trick to removing the connecting rods without cracking them
at the bearing hole is to orient them such that the flanged end of
the rod is on the same side as the longest part of each bend
(see Figure 1). Kind of like taking the 'longest-way-around'
the corner. As you round the corner, wiggle the flange-end of the rod up and
down (in a plane perpendicular to the bend) slightly. Continue 'working' the
rod around the corner until it reaches the next straight part. Now re-orient the
rod for the next bend and begin again.

Naturally, you want to take the shortest route from each connecting
rod to the outermost part of the cam. So connecting rods 1 and 2
are removed to the left and 4 and 5 are reomved to the right (or
visa-versa). No. 3... well, that's your call.

Once the rods are off the cam, take a sharp, pointed knife and gently work
the bushing out of the rod. You'll find they come out rather
easily. Save a couple of them for sizing the new strip of bushing cloth.

Finish polishing the cam and then give it a very thin coating with Marvel
Mystery Oil.

After installing the new bushings, reverse the disassembly process.
(Apply a small dot of glue to the flange before mounting.)

This page was last revised
May 14, 2017 by John A. Tuttle, who Assumes No
LiabilityFor The Accuracy or Validity of the Statements and/or Opinions
Expressed within the Pages of the Player-Care Domain. Cartoon Graphics by E7 Style Graphics (Eric T Styles)

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